Roy Orbison

The Official Website of The Soul of Rock and Roll

THE ORIGINAL “PRETTY PAPER” BY ROY ORBISON, 1963. CHRISTMAS MUSIC

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This is the original “PRETTY PAPER” by Roy Orbison in 1963!

Orbison was the first to record it and reached #6 in the UK (released in 1964 because “BLUE BAYOU” was still high on the charts in Europe) and #15 on the USA Pop charts in 1963 with this now classic Christmas song.
It was written by Willie Nelson who was happy to get his second big songwriting credit (and paycheck) when Roy recorded “Pretty Paper”. ( Willie still had short hair so that will tell you how far back it was. Way, way back in Willie’s career. He didn’t “smoke” either. He drank at that time. )
This version should sound very “Christmas-y” to you. The background vocals sound like they could fit an old Jimmy Stewart movie soundtrack. We Love It!

ROY ORBISON PLAYING “UPTOWN” WITH WHITE FALCON GUITAR

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From Roy Orbison’s first national television appearance in 1960!

“UPTOWN” , his first single for Monument Records was recorded September 18th, 1959.

This video shows Roy without glasses and with his Gretsch White Falcon guitar. ( Orbison’s favorite guitar was a unique creation which he built himself by modifying a White Falcon painting it black and changing the fretboard to a Gibson neck. )

 

ROY ORBISON & GRETSCH WHITE FALCON GUITAR

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Roy Orbison & his Gretsch White Falcon Guitar

The Gretsch White Falcon Guitar is iconic in Rockabilly culture!
Originally introduced on the market in 1955 the White Falcon is easily recognizable due to its unique features- larger than av

erage body size, glossy white paint, tasteful gold accents, and, of course, the falcon emblem engraved on the pickguard. The model that Roy made famous also had thumbprint frets making it stand out even more.

Here’s Roy with his Gretsch White Falcon in the early 1960s!